In this coastal stage, nature imposes itself with magnitude. The route unfolds over slopes that are privileged viewpoints for the Atlantic, where the sound of the waves dictates the rhythm of your steps. Between the cove of Salir do Porto and the open beauty of Foz do Arelho, you walk on the very history of the Earth.

Serra do Bouro is not just a hill, it is an open geological book. Here, at the Icnofósseis fossil site, you tread the same ground that dinosaurs trod millions of years ago, a dizzying connection to the distant past. The vegetation, resilient to wind and salt, adorns a backdrop of dramatic cliffs that plunge into the sea.

As you pass through Boavista, the horizon is infinite, tinged with the blue of the sky and the sea. It is a stage of fresh, salty air, where the force of the elements invigorates your spirit and the landscape offers, at every turn, a picture worthy of contemplation.

This stage of the route invites you to engage in a dialogue between the serenity of the waters and the vibrancy of the culture. The transition is accompanied by the Óbidos Lagoon, a sanctuary of biodiversity that offers moments of absolute peace, with wading birds and bivalves marking the rhythm of the tides and local traditions.

As the route approaches Caldas da Rainha, the atmosphere changes. The city appears not as an obstacle, but as an oasis of heritage. Parque D. Carlos I invites you to take a romantic stroll, the museums narrate the genius of Bordallo Pinheiro and Malhoa, and the iconic Praça da Fruta, the only daily open-air market in the country, explodes with colours, aromas and flavours that tell the fertile history of this land.

It is a stage of harmonious contrasts, where the silence of the lagoon joins hands with the pulsating life of the creative city, offering you the best of both worlds.

Leaving the urban area or descending from the hills, this stage is your gateway to the lush countryside of the West. The route winds through towns such as Formigal, Infantes and Malásia, where the landscape is covered with orchards and vegetable gardens that feed the region.

The terrain begins to challenge you, offering superb views in return. As you approach Boisias, the agricultural essence of the territory is revealed, culminating in Baloiço da Mó. This high point serves as an excellent natural viewpoint, from where you can take in the vastness of the territory you have travelled, allowing you to understand the unique geography that connects the mountains to the sea.

It is a stage of transition and conquest, marked by the green of the slopes and the feeling of freedom that only high places can provide.

In the deepest heart of the municipality, the route reveals its most intimate and bucolic side. Between Baloiço da Mó and the village of Fanadia, you enter a landscape of valleys and hills where time seems to slow down. Passing through Vale Serrão, Laranjeira and Ramalhosa, you breathe in the essence of the worked land and the communities that preserve ancient knowledge.

Water takes centre stage again at Albufeira de Alvorninha, a liquid mirror hidden among the hills, bringing freshness and serenity to the walk. Passing through Alvorninha and Mosteiros is like diving into ancient history, in a land of religious and secular architectural heritage.

In Maios and until you reach Fanadia, the landscape is a natural amphitheatre of tranquillity. Far from the sea breeze, here reigns the smell of damp earth, the sound of the wind in the trees and the pure authenticity of a preserved rural Portugal. It is the perfect ending, rooted in tradition and the simple beauty of nature.